How can I be as helpful and supportive of a loved one with type 1 Diabetes as possible?

My girlfriend has type 1 and we had a good honest talk tonight about why she doesn’t take care of herself the way she should and just her general overall thoughts on what she has to deal with. I know it’s got to be up to her to take care of herself, that being said, I want to know what those of you who have a loved... show more My girlfriend has type 1 and we had a good honest talk tonight about why she doesn’t take care of herself the way she should and just her general overall thoughts on what she has to deal with. I know it’s got to be up to her to take care of herself, that being said, I want to know what those of you who have a loved one do to be as supportive as possible. She doesn’t know hardly anything about how to take care of herself other than she has insulin that she takes when she can feel her blood sugar is high. Any resources advice or anything else you have to offer is helpful and appreciated thank you

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Type 1 Diabetes used to be called Juvenile Diabetes because it was diagnosed in children vs. Type 2 Diabetes that comes on later in life in people with predisposed or genetic factors. I find it hard to believe your girlfriend is so ignorant of her condition seeing that she probably has been dealing with this since she was very young. Or maybe she's so tired of explaining it to people or following her scheduled shots, meals, meds, testing and being worried that her condition makes you hover over her waiting for her blood sugar to spike.

Unless you've been with her during a low or high blood sugar episode, just follow her lead. Nagging her to eat or test may seem like you care, and you probably do, but it might make her feel self conscious about it.

I'll bet she was dxed with diabetes at a very young age.My daughter was dxed at age 2.no one can explain to a child so young what she must do and why.
You can ask her to make an appointment with a dietitian and diabetes educator.If she is not under the care of an endocrinologist, she should be.
You can get a subscription to a diabetes magazine and just let them sit around.She may be interested.Just don't push her.

Will you accept advice only from people who have cared for type 1 diabetics, or would you accept advice from other type 1 diabetics? I AM a type 1 diabetic, for 64 YEARS and counting, since I.was 2 years old. I have no ear memories of NOT being a diabetic.

Every diabetic is UNIQUE. What works for one diabetic may be bad or fatal for another diabetic.

The other answer is correct. We know nothing about your girlfriend. How old is she. How old was she when she was diagnosed? How many TYPES of insulin does she take. How many times a day. HOW is she getting her insulin and syringes or pens? Insulin is outrageously expensive.

Your girlfriend should be taking insulin EVERYDAY, not just when she FEELS like her blood sugar level is high. Does she have a glucose meter? Lancets? A lancet device. It's HARD to stick your finger with a lancet.

Is she or has she seriously considered trying to commit suicide? Too many type 1 diabetics DO commit suicide by overdosing on insulin. Yes, I HAVE

Source(s): considered it, including recently, but I hsve NEVER followed through. That is NOT MY decision to make.

Unfortunately, sir, when you offer virtually no information, it's hard to advise you.

MAYBE, if you were to tell us how old your girlfriend is; how long she's been dealing with type 1 diabetes; what she actually told you during your "good honest talk"; whether she's attending her appointments with members of her diabetes support team ... doctor/endocrinologist, diabetes specialist nurse, certified diabetes educator, dietitian, etc. ... we MAY be able to advise you with steps that you MAY be able to help her with.

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How can I be as helpful and supportive of a loved one with type 1 Diabetes as possible?

My girlfriend has type 1 and we had a good honest talk tonight about why she doesn’t take care of herself the way she should and just her general overall thoughts on what she has to deal with. I know it’s got to be up to her to take care of herself, that being said, I want to know what those of you who have a loved one do to be as supportive as possible. She doesn’t know hardly anything about how to take care of herself other than she has insulin that she takes when she can feel her blood sugar is high. Any resources advice or anything else you have to offer is helpful and appreciated thank you